1. education
2. school

AIMS Spring
Teachers Retreat
April 19-21, 2015
Harbourtowne Resort
St. Michaels, MD
Association of Independent Maryland & DC Schools
AIMS Teachers Retreat
A B O U T T H E R E T R E AT
MISSION STATEMENT
WHAT IS A FACILITATED SESSION?
The AIMS Teachers Retreat is a gathering of interdisciplinary
colleagues from all grade levels. Its goal is to support
teachers. The AIMS retreat differs from a traditional
conference in that it primarily provides a rich learning
environment with opportunities for extensive peer-to-peer
networking, active participation, and hands-on experiences.
Time for collaborating in a relaxed atmosphere is central to
the experience, as well as opportunities to explore a wide
range of practices that support good teaching and learning
in schools.
A facilitated session develops cooperative interaction
among the assembled group of individuals. Based on
the idea that members of the group have sufficient
knowledge to self-learn, the role of the facilitator is to
guide a conversation and allow everyone the opportunity
to contribute.
WHAT IS A DIRECTED SESSION?
In a directed session, a presenter shares information with
a group of colleagues for about the first fifteen minutes.
The remaining time is often reserved for open discussion.
WHAT IS A RETREAT?
WHAT IS A HANDS-ON SESSION?
The Oxford Dictionary describes retreat as “a period or
place of seclusion” or “to withdraw to a quiet or secluded
place.”
A hands-on session is an opportunity for guided
exploration of new tools and techniques in a fun and
relaxed atmosphere. Bring your device to these sessions,
if applicable.
WHY RETREAT?
The AIMS Teachers Retreat is designed to provide the
time and place for inspiration, relaxation, and rejuvenation
…to experience the charm of a beautiful setting...to retreat.
WHAT IS A BOOK SESSION?
A book session focuses on a pre-selected book read
in advance.
The AIMS teachers retreat provides a rich learning environment with
opportunities for extensive peer-to-peer networking, active participation,
and hands-on experiences in a relaxed, casual atmosphere.
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KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Jen Lara
Leaning into 25+ years of teaching experience, Jen Lara is a well-received public speaker, coach,
blogger, and educator. With graduate degrees in education from the University of Colorado and
Johns Hopkins University, Jen brings her down-to-earth nature and expertise to preK-12 schools,
colleges, and parents. Her expertise lies in championing the growth of others, including herself.
Jen’s vast experience began in outdoor and adventure education with twin powerhouses Outward
Bound and the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Traditional teaching stints have landed Jen in inner city
Baltimore, in Quito, Ecuador, on the Navajo Nation, and in both undergraduate and graduate
classrooms. For the last 15 years, Jen has taught teachers - both current and future teachers - at
a community college in Annapolis, Maryland and as an adjunct professor at American University in
Washington, DC.
As one of only five faculty invited nationwide, Jen attended the first White House Summit on the
Future of Community Colleges led by Dr. Jill Biden and President Obama. Jen also represented
faculty nationwide as part of a 36-person commission, funded by the Gates and Lumina foundations;
the commission’s work related to the future of education.
Jen maintains a teaching, learning and lifestyle blog at www.upcyclededucation.com. When not
tethered to her laptop or reading research related to creative thinking, Jen enjoys her family
(husband Paul, daughter Olive, and sweet pup Jedi), spending time on her bike or skis, and
dividing her time between Maryland and Colorado. Currently, Jen is writing a book related to
championing the growth of others. Look for her first book in 2016.
David Bill
David Bill leads NoTosh, Inc, the USA office of a global education consultancy. As an educator and
design strategist, David Bill brings a deep understanding of how the principles and practices of
design can extend the pedagogical, cultural, and spatial opportunities necessary to create successful
learning environments and in turn, experiences.
David was a History and Technology teacher, cross-country coach, and Director of Educational
Technology. He began his design within a small education consultancy, where he bridged the
intersection between project-based learning, design, and technology. Since then he has led
classroom redesigns, led design and strategy initiatives for schools and corporations, worked with
the City of San Francisco to design and activate a public plaza so to create a safer and more vibrant
neighborhood, and has helped schools and companies reconsider how, where, and when their
communities connect, collaborate, and create.
With a background in the social sciences and design, David's work is based upon the principles of
human centered design. His particular focus is exploring how physical and visual designs aligned
with enquiry based learning approaches can affect how educators and students interact and in turn
positively influence the learning experience. David enjoys working with schools to uncover those
insights and needs and then help the client to create a strategy that will support the particular needs
of its various community members.
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K E Y N O T E P R E S E N TAT I O N S
SUNDAY
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
•
Fostering Creativity
Presenter: Jen Lara, Upcycled Education
In the US, we often wait until students are in college or graduate school to explicitly teach creative thinking. In fact, most
collegiate programs save these valuable courses for their business majors or their engineering students. Why save this rich
form of thinking for only business and engineering students? Why wait until students are 18 years or older to ignite and
foster creative thinking?
Research shows the prime time to enhance creative thinking is in elementary school, followed by middle and high school.
This interactive keynote begins the creative conversation now and shares practical evidence-based instructional strategies
to use immediately with children and teens in the classroom and beyond.
By the end of the keynote, participants will be able to:
Explain the two main types of creativity: inventive and expressive.
Identify five main attributes of creative thinkers as identified by E. Paul Torrance (the founder of the Torrance Center for
Creative Thinking at the University of Georgia).
• Discuss creative thinking skills in relation to children and teens.
• Consider ways to infuse creative thinking strategies in day-to-day classroom instruction and learning activities.
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MONDAY
•
8:30 am - 10:00 am
Learning Experiences: Designing the Interactions and Spaces that Define Our Learning
Presenter: David Bill, NoTosh
Our students are growing up, and in turn their brains are developing in an era when one must fight for their attention and they
are able to obtain and consume knowledge in multiple formats and on multiple devices within a few swipes. We, as educators,
must not only honor this fact but design learning experiences that aggregate, contextualize, and frame the content they can
access in order for them to not only build understanding but to see the relevance of their own learning. To do so, we must
consider not only the mastery of content or the skills our students must develop but also the interactions and spaces - both
digital and physical - which define their understanding. We must consider how our students interact with each other as they
process and build upon the content and how our spaces are able to best facilitate their explorations. This keynote will highlight
examples and methods that illustrate how we can design experiences - the interactions and spaces - that can best support
this process of building understanding in an increasing digital and fragmented world.
WRAP-UP
TUESDAY
•
10:45 am - 12:00 Noon
Reflect, Review, Realize, and Consider
Coordinators: The AIMS Teachers Retreat Committee
Reflect: To give back or exhibit as an image, likeness, or outline: mirror; to bring or cast as a result; to make manifest or apparent;
to show (something) : to make (something) known.
Review: An act of carefully looking at or examining the quality or condition of something or someone : examination or inspection.
Realize: To understand or become aware of (something).
Consider: To think about (something or someone) carefully especially in order to make a choice or decision.
www.merriam-webster.com
This wrap-up time will provide us with an opportunity to reflect and review on our time and learning at the retreat. What new
viewpoints have come to your realization? What ideas can we now consider? We’ll share thoughts and ideas, and discuss how we
can best utilize our learning when we return to our classroom.
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BREAKOUT SESSIONS
MAKERSPACE SESSION
Monday
10:15 am - 11:30 am
•
Makerspaces Big and Small (H)
Presenter/Coordinator: Colleen McGuire, Worcester Preparatory School
Learn how the “maker movement” is impacting education and how you might build and curate your own makerspace in your
school or classroom. Colleen will illustrate project ideas, recommend tools of the trade, and discuss safety and classroom
management in a makerspace. We’ll close the textbooks, unplug technology, and roll up our sleeves to create a varienty of
projects using our hands and minds.
Audience: General Interest, Technology
Division: Lower School, Middle School, Upper School
If you haven't had a chance to participate in a Makerspace, here's your chance!
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What exactly is a Makerspace?
mak er space
•
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noun: makerspace
A shared work area where people build things collaboratively.
A Makerspace is a workspace where those with common interest can collaborate.
Makerspaces function as centers for peer learning and knowledge sharing where
participants can come together to share resources and knowledge to build and
make things and collaborate on projects.
The free exchange of ideas and resources is a central tenet of makerspaces.
source: Wikipedia, Public Libraries News, ManufacturingERP, andTechTarget
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BREAKOUT SESSIONS
SESSION 1
Monday
•
12:45 pm - 2:00 pm
1A Mindset: Shift Yours to Shift Others (F)
1D A Collaborative and Innovative Method for
Establishing a Community of Readers (D)
Presenter: Jen Lara, Upcycled Education
Presenters: Becky Amaral, John Melton, and Susan Walter, The
Country School
Come to this interactive workshop to learn about (or freshen up on)
Dr. Carol Dweck’s work on Mindset – a best friend of Creativity.
During the workshop, Dweck’s work will come alive through
experiential activities designed to not only shift and strengthen
your mindset, but provide tools and tips to help shift your
students’, parents’, colleagues’ and allies’ mindsets, as well.
Learn methods for developing a community of readers in your
school through faculty sponsored summer reading books,
shared advisory reading, collaborative book groups, and creative
independent reading strategies that get students excited about
reading and dialoguing with each other about what they read.
Creating a culture of reading and inspiring students to become
passionate readers who are excited about sharing what they
read takes planning, creativity and a comprehensive,
cross-curricular approach. Presenters will share the framework
they have developed in their school for tackling big questions
and developing innovative solutions, and participants will leave
with practical strategies related to creating a community of
readers and a model for how teachers and administrators can
collaborate to purposefully create an environment rich with ideas
and open to new approaches.
Audience: General Interest
Division: All Grade Levels
1B Art and Activities: Ways to Integrate Art into the
Curriculum (D)
Presenter: Rebecca Tittermary, Worcester Preparatory School
Using techniques presented at the National Gallery of Art’s
Teacher Institute, this workshop will introduce ways to use
artworks as a primary source in classroom instruction to explore
the connections between the visual arts and history, math,
language arts, music, and science. Discuss ideas for
incorporating art into interdisciplinary teaching and how to
strengthen students’ visual literacy. In addition to seeing
samples of student work, participants will have the opportunity
to try many of the activities to see how they work in the
classroom setting.
Audience: English/Language Arts, General Interest,
History/Social Studies, Learning Specialists, Library, Science,
Technology
Division: Middle School, Upper School
1E Teaching Diverse Learners (D)
Audience: Art, General Interest
Division: Preschool, Lower School, Middle School
Presenter: Susan James, McLean School of Maryland
Presenters will give an overview of Raspberry Pi, what it is, and
demo some uses of the Raspberry Pi as it can be used in the
classroom.
This session will provide ideas for teaching students with ADHD
and other learning differences. We will explore strategies and
tools for supporting and managing all students in the classroom.
Topics will include behavior management, note taking strategies,
technology in the classroom, organization, and assignment
chunking. Participants will have an opportunity to reflect on their
own classroom practices and to collaborate with others on
changes they can make to better support different learners.
Audience: General Interest, Technology
Division: Lower School, Middle School, Upper School
Audience: General Interest, Learning Specialists
Division: Lower School, Middle School, Upper School
1C Teaching with the Raspberry Pi (D)
Presenter: David Sugar, The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland
LEGEND
(B) Book - Facilitator with open discussion on book.
(D) Directed - Presenter for about 15 minutes, remainder open discussion.
(F) Facilitated - Facilitator for about 5 minutes, majority open discussion.
(H) Hands-on - Interactive sessions with fun in mind. Bring your device.
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BREAKOUT SESSIONS
SESSION 2
Monday
•
2:15 pm - 3:30 pm
2A Design Your Learning Experience (F)
2D The Flipped Classroom: Making it More than Just a
Video (D)
Presenter: David Bill, NoTosh
Presenter: Stacey Roshan, Bullis School
Building upon David’s keynote, participants of this session will
be given the guidance, time, and resources to consider how
they might design the interactions and spaces that define ideal
learning experiences. Through a series of exercises and
conversations, participants will walk away with a few next steps
on how they might reconsider the learning experiences within
their respective schools.
Tools such as embedded quizzes, discussions, polls, and
annotations can be useful in creating a more interactive
experience for students watching instructional videos and allow
teachers to personalize their own videos or videos they have
found online. In this session, Stacey will share a variety of tools
allowing teachers to make instructional videos more engaging.
She will share how she uses results from embedded quizzes, as
well as statistics on viewer engagement, to inform what is done
in the classroom.
Audience: General Interest
Division: All Grade Levels
Audience: General Interest, Technology
Division: All Grade Levels
2B Social Media in the Elementary Classroom? You
Betcha! (D)
Presenter: Carrie Strine, Sidwell Friends School
2E Interdisciplinary Initiatives (D)
In an elementary classroom, students often share big ideas and
inspirational thoughts that can often be lost if not captured in the
moment. Learn how an elementary school teacher and her
colleague use social media to help students both capture and
reflect on those thoughts through blogging and tweeting.
Presenter: Dan Schoos, The Key School
In this session, specific examples or models of interdisciplinary
initiatives will be provided with a primarily upper and middle
school focus. Examples will include a focus on humanities,
science, outdoor education, foreign language, math, and life
skills. The presenter will offer information and reflections on
collaborating with colleagues and gaining buy-in, as well as
managing logistics and assessment. A significant portion of
this session will be devoted to brainstorming and developing
such initiatives among the participants so there are tangible
takeaways.
Audience: General Interest, Technology
Division: Lower School
2C Art Enrichment in the Humanities Program (D)
Presenters: Christine Plumer, Anne Walker, Notre Dame
Preparatory School
Upper Level Art teachers from Notre Dame Preparatory School
will introduce the Art Enrichment component of the Bette Ellis
O’Conor Humanities Program. Explore hands-on art-making and
art history lessons that are experienced by humanities students
in the context of their History, English and Religion classes.
Come hear about Art in Humanities and participate in a mini art
enrichment lesson.
Audience: General Interest, Learning Specialists
Division: Lower School, Middle School, Upper School
Audience: Art, General Interest
Division: Upper School
LEGEND
(B) Book - Facilitator with open discussion on book.
(D) Directed - Presenter for about 15 minutes, remainder open discussion.
(F) Facilitated - Facilitator for about 5 minutes, majority open discussion.
(H) Hands-on - Interactive sessions with fun in mind. Bring your device.
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BREAKOUT SESSIONS
SESSION 3
Tuesday
•
9:00 am - 10:15 am
3D Documenting the Thinking Process: Why We Do It,
Then Try it Out! (D)
3A Multimedia Approach to Integrating Subjects (H)
Presenters: Amanda Lynch and Laura Holmes, Worcester
Preparatory School
Presenter: Denise Coffin, Sidwell Friends School
In the “why" portion of this session, participants will learn how
students are using iPads for differentiating, documenting, and
demonstrating thinking in the classroom and why it’s a good
thing. In the “try” portion of this session, we’ll get a chance to
explore and experiment. We’ll use what we’ve learned to make
our thinking visible.
Are you stuck in a computer rut? Are you burned out in the
computer lab? Well…What about a trip around the USA to visit
our National Parks? Ever thought about producing a news
broadcast to share the highlights of your year? Our multimedia
projects integrate the core subjects and promote cooperation.
Audience: General Interest
Division: Lower School, Middle School
Audience: General Interest, Technology
Division: Lower School, Middle School, Upper School
3B The Mindful Classroom (H)
3E Book Discussion – Quiet: The Power of Introverts in
a World That Can't Stop Talking (B)
Presenters: Rosie Waugh and Frankie Engelking, McLean School
of Maryland
Facilitator: Nichelle Dowell, Georgetown Day School
Mindfulness is a tool that can be used with students, parents,
and educators to improve focus, concentration and impulse
control as well as reduce stress. This hands-on workshop will
provide an introduction to mindfulness by demonstrating simple
techniques teachers can use with students. Participants will be
provided an opportunity to practice these techniques through role
playing and group activities. Resources and contact information
will be provided that teachers can share with administrators who
may wish to adopt a mindfulness program in their schools.
In a culture designed for extroverts, author Susan Cain shows
how dramatically we undervalue introverts, and how much we
lose in doing so – including untapped talent. Studies suggest
that many of the most creative people are introverts, who are
careful, reflective thinkers and can tolerate the solitude that
idea-generation requires. On the other hand, implementing
good ideas requires cooperation, and introverts are more likely
to prefer cooperative environments, while extroverts favor
competitive ones. Join this book discussion to discover how
the author helps us change how we see introverts and, equally
important, how introverts see themselves – as well as creating
a space for understanding between introverts and extroverts.
Audience: General Interest
Division: Lower School, Middle School, Upper School
3C How Technology Has Changed Teaching and
Students (F)
Audience: General Interest
Division: All Grade Levels
Presenter: Kati Mawhiney, The Bryn Mawr School
As The Bryn Mawr School enters its third year in a 1:1 iPad
program, Kati will lead a reflection on how classrooms have
changed since technology integration has moved in full force. She
will provide pre-reading articles for discussion and open the floor
to a facilitated discussion on the topic and how to manage the
changes in both our students and pedagogies.
Audience: General Interest, Technology
Division: Lower School, Middle School, Upper School
LEGEND
(B) Book - Facilitator with open discussion on book.
(D) Directed - Presenter for about 15 minutes, remainder open discussion.
(F) Facilitated - Facilitator for about 5 minutes, majority open discussion.
(H) Hands-on - Interactive sessions with fun in mind. Bring your device.
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R E T R E AT E X H I B I T O R S
AIMS would like to thank our exhibitors for their support of the AIMS 2015 Teachers Retreat.
Be sure to visit with the exhibitors during the retreat.
Aruba Networks
Southern Teachers Agency
1344 Crossman Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
408-754-8462
www.arubanetworks.com
7 Elliewood Avenue
Charlottesville, VA 22903
443-708-2940
www.southernteachers.com
Contact: Brad Hogan
bhogan@arubanetworks.com
Contact: Adam Peichert
peichert@southernteachers.com
Aruba Networks is a leading provider of next-generation
network access solutions for the mobile enterprise.
Since 1902, schools have trusted Southern Teachers
Agency to help them recruit the best teachers and
administrators. Why do they trust us? Because we know
our candidates.
Nancy Larson® Science
P.O. Box 688
Old Lyme, CT 06371
860-434-0800
www.nancylarsonscience.com
Stevenson University School of Graduate
and Professional Studies
Contact: Kathryn Bremner
kathryn.bremner@nancylarsonpublishers.com
100 Campus Circle
Baltimore MD 21117
443-352-4084
www.stevenson.edu
Nancy Larson® Science provides a complete hands-on
elementary science cirriculum with challenging content
that engages students.
Contact: Kristin Lilja
klilja@stevenson.edu
NumbersAlive!
Stevenson University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching
(M.A.T.) in Secondary Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics
with a STEM focus.
975 F Street, NW
Washington DC 20004
202-652-1820
www.numbersalive.org
Exhibit Hours and Location:
Sunday 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Monday 8:00 am - 4:15 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am - 10:45 am
Contact: Rebecca Klemm
rebecca@numbersalive.org
NumbersAlive!® presents numbers as friendly and global
characters (Team Ten®, STEM Squad® led by pi) who
uncover numeric patterns embedded in everything in life.
Look for Exhibitors in the Crook area across from Prospect
Bay (Keynote room) or across from Shaw Bay, past the bar.
“Well organized, excellent retreat! Great opportunity to relax and reflect.”
“Time to chat and collaborate with colleagues and gain
new ideas and inspiration.”
“Wonderful! Loved the personalization and thoughtfulness of every detail.”
2014 Retreat Attendees
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SCHEDULE
COMMITTEE
Sunday, April 19, 2015
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
5:30 pm
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
8:00 pm
Committee Chairs
Anne McGraw, Calvert School
Rob Quinn, Notre Dame Preparatory School
Registration
Buffet Dinner at Harbourtowne
Visit Exhibits
Doors Open for Seating
Jen Lara, Keynote
Informal Time/Cash Bar
Committee
Geoffrey Byrne, Georgetown Day School
Scott Doughty, Glenelg Country School
Amanda Lynch, Worcester Preparatory
Pamela Nolin, Association of Independent
Maryland & DC Schools
Stacey Roshan, Bullis School
Sarah Thomas, Norwood School
Monday, April 20, 2015
7:00 am - 8:30 am
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
8:30 am - 10:00 am
10:00 am - 10:15 am
10:15 am - 11:30 am
11:30 am - 12:45 pm
12:45 pm - 2:00 pm
2:00 pm - 2:15 pm
2:15 pm - 3:30 pm
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
8:00 pm
Breakfast
Visit Exhibits
David Bill, Keynote
Break
Makerspace Playground
Lunch
Breakout Session 1
Break
Breakout Session 2
Free Time
Informal Time/Cash Bar
Seated Dinner
Informal Time/Cash Bar
Association of Independent Maryland & DC Schools
890 Airport Park Road, Suite 103
Glen Burnie MD 21061
Contact: Pamela Nolin
pnolin@aimsmddc.org
410-761-3700
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
7:00 am - 9:00 am
8:00 am - 10:45 am
9:00 am - 10:15 am
10:15 am - 10:45 am
10:45 am - 12:00 Noon
12:00 Noon - 12:15 pm
12:15 pm - 1:30 pm
Breakfast
Visit Exhibits
Breakout Session 3
Break/Hotel Check Out
Reflect, Review, Realize, and Consider
Evaluations/Doorprizes
Lunch
ENJOY HARBOURTOWNE and ST. MICHAEL’S
Harbourtowne is near the heart of St. Michael’s, Maryland. If you’ve ever visited St. Michael’s, then you are familiar with its
charm. If not, you will find it relaxing and quaint with plenty of history and character.
For more information, visit www.harbourtowne.com or www.stmichaelsmd.org.
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AIMS Teachers Retreat
REGISTRATION FORM
Deadline: March 12, 2015 • No refunds after this date
Name
Job Title
School
Email
PLEASE CHOOSE ONE PACKAGE 1
A $100 late fee applies after deadline date - no exceptions.
Cancellation Policy
AIMS Rates
•
❑ Complete Package (2 nights)
$775 Single occupancy
Cancellations are only accepted
before the deadline date.
Important Information
❑ Complete Package (2 nights)
$650 Double occupancy 2
•
ALL communications regarding
reservations must be through AIMS,
not Harbourtowne!
•
No Onsite Registration!
•
Dress is Casual
Roommate’s Name
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
❑ Day Package (2 1/2 days)
$400
Non-AIMS Rates 3
❑ Complete Package (2 nights)
$950 Single occupancy
❑ Complete Package (2 nights)
$825 Double occupancy 2
Roommate’s Name
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
❑ Day Package (2 1/2 days)
$550
Breakout Session Choices 4
(Choose ONE letter for each Session you will attend)
Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
❑A
❑A
❑A
❑B
❑B
❑B
❑C
❑C
❑C
❑D
❑D
❑D
❑E
❑E
❑E
Monday’s Dinner at Harbourtowne (seated)
❑ Crabcakes ❑ Chicken ❑ Vegetarian
❑ This is the first time I am attending this retreat.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 Complete Package and Day Package include entire program and meals. AIMS members: Your school will be billed for your registration.
2 Double occupancy is ONLY available if your roommate registers concurrently, otherwise a single rate charge will automatically apply.
3 Non-AIMS members must pay in advance.
4 AIMS reserves the right to cancel a session due to low attendance. In this event, you’ll be notified by email. Email addresses are for AIMS use only.